Quigg, who prepared for the fight in Los Angeles with trainer Freddie Roach, said: “This was another step on my journey to become a two weight world champion. I’ve been superbantamweight world champion and I know I can do it again after stepping up to the nine stone limit.”

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Scott Quigg, right, was in great form as he won a tough fight against Romanian Viorel SimionCredit: Getty Images

BOX CLEVER

NO JOSHING

Quigg answered the first bell with a smile on his face but it was soon wiped off when Simion stopped him in his racks with a double left hook that slammed into his body and then his head. But Quigg refused to play second best and slowed his rival with some solid combinations.

Bury fighter Quigg showed he was prepared to go into the trenches in the second and fought Simion at close quarters but many shots just bounced off the Romanian’s gloves.

Quigg a former superbantamweight title holder, tried to force the pace in the third but Simion answered with shots that exploded on Quigg’s head to take the round - just.

Simion’s right eye started to swell under the short sharp attacks from Quigg but the Romanian refused to take a backward step and shocked Quigg with his quick two fisted attacks in the fourth.

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It was Scott Quigg's first fight under his new trainer Freddie Roach - and it resulted in victoryCredit: Reuters

Quigg started to pile on the pressure in the fifth but suffered a worrying cut behind his left ear but the flow of blood didn’t bother him and his powerful head and body shots started to take their effect on Simion.

There was no doubt the Romanian was tough and he soaked up the sixth round punishment dished out by Quiggs gloves that were full of hurtful intent.

In an attempt to drag himself back into the fight that was slowly ebbing away from him, Simion upped the pace but when caught by Quigg’s quick fists he slowed to almost a halt in the seventh.

With Quigg now dominating the fight in the eighth,, Simion dropped his pace with the punches he was taking clearly draining his stamina.

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It was a solid night's work for Scott Quigg as he secured himself a world title shot for the featherweight strapCredit: Getty Images

For whatever reason Quigg stopped moving in the ninth, inviting Simion to land some heavy shots but when the Romanian tried to take time off Quigg steamed back with counter attacks.

The relentless pace reached in the ninth didn’t seem to bother Quigg who was in superb shape, full of energy but he couldn’t find enough power to put away his increasinglt ragged opponent.

Round ten and Quigg’s control was almost total. Simion, who took IBF champ Lee Selby the full distance, showed tremendous courage trying to nail Quigg but as the fight entered the 11th he knew he needed a KO to win.

The final round saw Simion come in with arms swinging but Quigg either stepped out of rans and flicked them off with his gloves.

Speaking after the fight, Quigg said: "I was in control all the time and it was a comfortable win in there.

When he is on the back foot he can't do anything. Overall, first fight under Freddie (Roach) and I'm very happy.